“I’d like that.”
CHAPTER 5
PEN
Ismile as Kat, makes her way towards our table. She turns and says something to the maitre d’, who stops in their tracks.
I stand up as she reaches the table, pulling her in for a hug.
“It’s good to see you,” I say, even though it’s only been a week since I saw her at Caleb and April’s wedding. Work has kept us apart a lot recently.
“You too. The wedding was crazy. I forget how many aunts, uncles, and cousins we have.” She rolls her eyes, making me chuckle. “Mum was determined to keep us all busy.No time for idle gossip. Lunch today, however, is fair game.”
I laugh as we take our seats. Kat’s eyes sparkle with mischief as she takes her napkin and places it on her lap.
“Did Kris make it back to the US okay?”
I nod. I’d called Kat to let her know Kris would not be joining us. “He did. He’s disappointed that he missed our lunch and apologises.”
“The joy of being engaged to a businessperson. Man or woman, we are first and foremost married to our professions.”
She understands that better than anyone. Like me, her social/personal life has taken a back seat to her business.Although I plan for this to change once Kris and I get married and start a family.
Kat’s a businesswoman in charge of the family’s international hotel chain. There’s never a off day. Unlike Mum and some of my other friends, Kris’s work commitment doesn’t faze her.
Kathryn Frazer and I have been friends for over fifteen years. Our friendship grew over the summers I spent at the Frazer’s home but was cemented when she pulled me half-drowned from their swimming pool. Her then dating and living with one of Elijah and my uni friends, Zach, sealed the deal.
“Did you speak to Zach at the wedding?” I ask, knowing how much she was dreading seeing him.
It may be nearly three years since they split, but it was an awkward breakup. He proposed, getting down on one knee, and announced he wanted them to start a family. Kat freaked. She later told me she didn’t want to, at least not with him. Nothing like realising you don’t love the person you’ve been living with for the past seven years.
Kat inclines her head. “It was strange. Five years of on-again, off-again dating, followed by seven years living together—still, I question it all. I can’t explain it. It was nice seeing him. He looks well, but there was nothing. No pang of regret.”
“And you were worried there would be?”
“I suppose so… My mind held a vague, fleeting idea, wondering if I’d been too hasty in turning down his proposal. I’m not getting any younger.”
I can understand her position. It’s one I’ve found myself in. We’ve spent so many years concentrating on building up our businesses that our private lives have taken a back seat.
“It wasn’t right. You said so yourself. It wouldn’t have been fair to either of you.”
“I know. It’s just. Starting over. It’s been nearly three years. I don’t have time to socialise, to meet anyone. I just worry it’s going to get dusty up here on this shelf.”
“Hey, the right person will come along. Look at me,” I say, winking across at her. “You just have to be receptive when he does.”
Kat groans. “Easier said than done. You know that. At least Kris and you have a lot in common. You know he’s not after your money, he loves and respects you. The last time I went on a date, I almost asked him if he wanted to take measurements. Who had the bigger dick?”
“Sounds like hewasa dick,” I say, laughing as she pulls a face.
“And your wedding plans? How are they going?”
“Everything is coming together. Kris’s mum is doing the majority of the heavy lifting.”
Kat’s eyebrows draw together. “And you’re okay with that?”
I chuckle. “More than okay. She knows the venue, the florist, has organised the guest list, seating arrangements. She’s in her element. Who am I to step on her toes?”
“If you say so. It’s just not like you or any bride to relinquishallcontrol.”
